Hi Gang,
I have an '87TII with 211,000 miles that mostly runs like a top. I drive over the continental divide twice a week and it just purrs.

One wierd problem happened last week and I'd like your insight about what might have caused it.

I drove from Denver to Grand Jct Colorado and worked the week. On Friday, I drove the car from the hotel to the job site - as I do every day - and it started/ran perfectly normal. Early afternoon, I prepared to return to Denver. Started the car and drove a mile or so to get gas. I left the car run while getting gas and then drove across the parking lot to get coffee and traveling snacks. This time I shut the car off.

When I returned 20min later, I turned the key and got silence. No relay, no lights, no fan. But, I did have the radar detector - on the cig lighter - working. I checked the headlights, and they were bright as when the car was running.

Thinking that it was dead, I called AAA and waited for a tow truck.

When the truck arrived an hour later, I put the key in to unlock the steering and it turned on. I started it up and drove home without incident.

Any thoughts about where this came from? What systems should I examine?

Thanks in advance!

- kel -

 

Well, I'd try checking the main power relay on the drivers side inner fender and for a loose connection on the underhood fuse box. This is far from the only possibility but should be a good starting place.

 

Found It!

The problem is a corroded connector that connects the feed from the 80amp main fuse to the ignition switch. It's a single 3/16" thick black wire with a black snap-together connector that is in the harness just below the Main Fuse Block.
I found that there was no 12v input to the ignition switch, so I turned the switch on and start going from the battery inward with my volt meter.
I unbolted the Main Fuse block, and pulled it out of the way to take some measurements, and I heard the car come on - fan, relay click etc.
As i carefully moved the block around to flex the wiring, I could turn the systems on and off. Then I found the described connector and pulled it apart - the car shut down.

Inside, it was quite corroded. I cleaned it up, put it back together and my baby is happy again.

Thanks to all for suggestions.

- kel -

 

211000 miles.....impressive, hopefully my will be able to run that long once it's rebuilt...